Hope House's Fight Against Gender-Based Violence

In the heart of Cape Town's communities, a quiet revolution is taking place. Since 2004, Hope House Counselling Centre has stood as a beacon of hope for survivors of gender-based violence, offering donation-based counselling and support to those who need it most. During the 16 Days of Activism campaign, we sat down with Deputy Director Natalie Doman at their Kuils River center to discuss the challenging but vital work they do every day.

PICTURED: From left: Bush Radio presenters, Jasnine Roberts and Nosi Sogoni; Deputy Director of Hope House, 

Natalie Doman

More Than Just Physical Violence

When most people think of gender-based violence, they picture physical abuse, but as the team at Hope House emphasises, the reality is far more complex. Gender-based violence encompasses emotional abuse, psychological manipulation, financial control, and gaslighting—forms of harm that often leave no visible scars but can be equally devastating.

"Our people understand GBV as just physical abuse, but there's different types," explains Vatiswa Sobezo, a social worker at the Khayelitsha center. "You get your emotional abuse when someone abuses you emotionally by using words. And you also get your psychological abuse where they play with your mind to try and convince you that you're not worth it and you're nothing without me."

This manipulation keeps many survivors trapped, unable to recognize the abuse for what it is. The question becomes: How do we equip people to identify these subtler forms of violence?

The Challenge of Recognition

One of Hope House's primary goals is helping survivors recognise abuse in all its forms. Many people, especially from older generations and certain communities, have been conditioned to believe that staying and "working things out" is the only option—particularly if there's no physical violence involved.

"A lot of people are not familiar to identify the signs," notes the interviewer. "They think, 'He didn't beat me, so I can't say I need to leave.'" This mindset, reinforced by cultural expectations and generational patterns, creates an invisible prison that can be harder to escape than a physical one.

The work of breaking these cycles requires patience and individualized care. As Natalie explains, "Every situation is different, and you can't just generalize everything. It is important to be able to work with that person to see how that specific person's situation is different and how we can navigate that to come up with a solution."

A Collaborative Approach to Safety

Hope House doesn't work in isolation. Their strength lies in partnerships with courts, police stations, and social development services throughout the Western Cape. This network is crucial for survivors who have lost faith in the justice system.

While many survivors feel that reporting abuse is futile, Hope House provides what they describe as a "safe space"—somewhere to be heard, believed, and supported through what is always a complex process.

The reality of leaving an abusive situation is rarely straightforward. "It is definitely a process and it's something that the female or the wife or the partner definitely needs to think about and be completely sure that this is what they are going to do," Natalie acknowledges. Hope House assists in finding safe spaces and works with organizations like SAPS and social services, though the process can be challenging, especially when someone decides they need help immediately.

Supporting Children in Crisis

The center also provides crucial support for children affected by violence. While legal restrictions prevent counselling children under 12 without parental consent, Hope House typically uses 16 as their age marker. When children arrive seeking help, particularly those who fear for their safety, the staff can connect them with police and social services to ensure proper procedures are followed.

This work with children is especially critical in areas like the Cape Flats, where violence is often driven by multiple factors including substance abuse, poverty, and intergenerational trauma.

Breaking Generational Patterns

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of Hope House's work is helping shift mindsets across generations. While younger people are increasingly refusing to tolerate abuse in any form, older generations often hold onto beliefs that prioritize keeping problems private and staying in marriages regardless of circumstances.

"The younger generation are getting more awoke," the conversation notes. "They're not tolerating that. If you've left your hands or manipulated me or any form of abuse, I have the chance to stand up and walk away."

The question remains: How do we change these deeply ingrained patterns? How do we break what has become a generational curse?

The answer, according to Hope House, lies in education, empowerment, and equipping people with tools to make informed choices. Their workshops focus not just on identifying abuse, but on building the skills and self-worth necessary to envision and create a different life.

PICTURED: Bush Radio presenters, Jasnine roberts and Nosi Sogoni; Vuyo Bopi and Vatiswa Sebezo, social workers at Hope House counselling centre

The Reality of Seasonal Spikes

Natalie observes that statistics for gender-based violence tend to increase during certain times of the year, particularly around holidays when stress, alcohol consumption, and family tensions rise. While society talks about these issues intensely during campaigns like the 16 Days of Activism, the reality is that survivors need support 365 days a year.

"Gender-based violence thrives in silence," the broadcast reminds us. The work doesn't stop when the campaign ends.

How You Can Help

Hope House operates entirely on donations, making community support essential to keeping their doors open. They currently have a campaign asking people to consider donating 50 or 100 rand per month. As Natalie points out, "If 50 people pay R100 per month, it's something we can work with."

For those interested in supporting this vital work, donations can be made through their website at www.hopehouse.org.za, with options to support their centers in Khayelitsha, Kuils River, or Tokai.

Our Role in the Fight

The 16 Days of Activism campaign reminds us that we all have a role to play in ending gender-based violence and femicide. Whether through supporting organisations like Hope House, speaking out against violence, educating ourselves and others, or simply believing and supporting survivors when they find the courage to share their stories—every action matters.

Gender-based violence is not just a women's issue or a seasonal concern. It's a societal crisis that demands year-round attention, resources, and collective action. Organisations like Hope House are on the front lines of this fight, providing the compassionate, individualised care that can help survivors not just escape violence, but rebuild their lives.

Their message is clear: your mental health matters, help is available, and you don't have to face this alone.

 

Written By: Jasnine Roberts

Breaking the Silence: Home of Hope's Mission During 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children

As we mark the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, the Sakhisizwe team, as part of Bush Radio's Push Forward 16 days campaign, took its microphones directly to an organisation making a profound difference in our community: Home of Hope. This year's theme, "Unite and Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls," reminds us that violence takes many forms, but today we're addressing a particularly devastating yet often invisible form of violence that begins before a child is even born.

The Hidden Violence: Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

At Home of Hope, the staff witness firsthand the impact of abuse, neglect, and abandonment on society's most vulnerable members. Many children in their care carry not just the invisible scars of trauma, but also the permanent effects of FASD, a condition that represents violence inflicted even before birth.

The founding CEO of Home of Hope, Eleanor Brook, shares the organisation's origins: "It initially started as a place to try and find families for children, and then we discovered FASD, foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and from there we have evolved into what we are today."

Understanding FASD: A Preventable Yet Incurable Condition

FASD is known as an invisible disability, affecting children whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy. The condition causes permanent brain damage that impacts every aspect of a person's life. As Kayla Abel, the acting CEO, explains, the effects are far-reaching: "Secondary challenges include suicide, trouble with the law, addiction, substance abuse, work-related issues, and early dropouts from school."

What makes this particularly heartbreaking is that FASD is 100% preventable yet 100% incurable. Eleanor puts it bluntly: "Would you take a bottle of beer, put a teat on it and give it to your baby to drink? No, you wouldn't. So it's exactly the same thing prenatally."

FROM LEFT: Bush Radio presenters, Jasnine Roberts and Meeral Mansoor; CEO and Founder, Eleanor Brooke; Acting CEO, Kayla Abel; Principal Roxanne Naickee 

The women who give birth to children with FASD often come from environments marked by violence and poverty. These circumstances create conditions where substance abuse becomes a coping mechanism. Adding to the challenge is the fact that alcohol is legal and socially accepted in our country.

"Young people don't even know they're pregnant, they're partying, they're drinking," Eleanor notes. "I think it just needs to be a lot of awareness needs to go out, and we should be speaking to everybody about this challenge and problem."

The issue transcends economic boundaries. As the team at Home of Hope emphasizes, this affects families from all socioeconomic backgrounds, not just impoverished communities.

A Holistic Approach to Care

Home of Hope operates five distinct projects designed to support children and young adults with FASD throughout their lives:

1. The Children's Home

Providing 24/7 care for 25 children, the home operates on a family-centered model rather than institutional care. Each child receives individualized therapeutic services, love, and attention tailored to their specific needs and challenges.

2. Amatemba School

Led by Principal Roxanne N aickeeand Senior Teacher Landisa Sibanda, the school serves 33 learners, including 19 from informal settlements. The school provides not just education but also basic necessities like bathing facilities and meals, ensuring children are ready to learn.

"We've had children that were expelled from mainstream schools due to behaviour challenges from FASD," Kayla explains. "At the school, we ensure that we empower every single child with an education and equip them with skills for a brighter future."

3. The Working Care Farm

Recognizing that young adults with FASD cannot simply be released into society at 18, Home of Hope created a farm where they learn practical skills like building garden trellises and crafting items for sale.

4. Living Life Programme

This mentoring initiative prepares young adults for independence by teaching essential life skills: budgeting, creating CVs, using public transportation, and navigating healthcare systems.

5. The Charity Shop

Located at 215 Blouberg Road in Tableview, the shop serves multiple purposes: fundraising, skills training for young adults, and providing affordable goods to the community.

The Reality of Living with FASD

Caring for someone with FASD requires extraordinary patience and specific strategies. As Kayla describes, individuals with FASD are concrete learners who struggle with abstract concepts. A simple instruction like "take the bun out, wash it, and put it back" is overwhelming because it contains multiple steps.

"You'd have to have visuals," Kayla explains. "In our children's home, their chore chart has visual pictures showing their face, a clock, and what chore they'll be doing and when."

Perhaps most importantly, caregivers must understand that a young adult with FASD is typically functioning at half their chronological age emotionally and socially. An 18-year-old may have the emotional capacity of an 8 or 9-year-old.

Early Warning Signs

Teachers at Amatemba School are trained to recognize and preempt behavioral challenges. Roxanne shares their approach: "We do circle time where we look at the emotions of children and how they're feeling. If we see a child tapping or looking irritable, those are cues and triggers for us to use calming techniques."

This proactive approach helps prevent escalation and creates a supportive learning environment where children can thrive despite their challenges.

Breaking the Cycle: What We Can All Do

The team at Home of Hope emphasizes that everyone has a role to play in preventing FASD and supporting affected families:

Spread Awareness: Talk about FASD with friends, family, and in your social circles. Share information you've learned.

Speak Up Without Judgment: If you see a pregnant woman drinking, inform her about the risks with compassion, not condemnation.

Educate Yourself: Use available resources, including social media and online platforms, to research FASD and share accurate information.

Support Organizations: Donate to places like Home of Hope. Contact them at 021-556-3573 or visit their charity shop Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM, and Saturdays 9 AM to 2 PM.

Start Uncomfortable Conversations: Don't wait for family gatherings or social events to pass without discussing issues that truly matter.

A Call to Action

As Eleanor powerfully states: "I think the biggest tool we have is our mouth. It's word of mouth. You've learned a whole lot of things today. Start speaking. We really just need to start talking. We all need to take responsibility to stop ignoring it and actually start speaking."

During these 16 Days of Activism and beyond, let's commit to breaking the silence around FASD and all forms of violence against women and children. Every child deserves to be safe, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.

The work happening at Home of Hope demonstrates that with proper support, structure, and unconditional love, children and young adults with FASD can lead meaningful lives. But they shouldn't have to face these challenges in the first place. Prevention starts with awareness, and awareness starts with each of us.

For more information about Home of Hope or to contribute to their mission, contact them at 021-556-3573 or visit their charity shop at 215 Blouberg Road, Tableview.

Written By: Jasnine Roberts